Deschamps taking wrong approach
Juventus are almost home and dry. Their short stint in the Serie B is practically over with the prospects of a bright new dawning for the glorious club now in the offing.
In the coming weeks, Juventus are expected to make sure of first place in the standings to secure automatic promotion to the top flight.
Although winning the Serie B is no mean feat from all aspects, many sustain that Juve have a more daunting task ahead.
At present, the club is shrouded with speculation on the future of key players like Gianluigi Buffon, David Trezeguet and Mauro German Camoranesi, among others.
Even coach Didier Deschamps, a former Juventus player himself in the 1990s, is not sure of his job after defining Juve's chances in 2007/08 as remote.
Deschamps was criticised for taking a negative stance towards next season but he sustains that he is being 'realistic'.
But, how could Juventus win, or at least make a creditable challenge for next year's title, if their coach has already thrown in the towel?
Many things could happen. The transfer window is not yet open let alone the campaign itself.
To begin with, Deschamps's definition of Juve being a 'Serie A newcomer' in 2007/08 is very modest to say the least. True, Juve are coming from one year in the doldrums of the second division, but, one can safely say that with this squad, Deschamps could have managed a top four or five finish in the Serie A this season.
One also finds it somewhat contradicting hearing Deschamps describing himself as 'ambitious' and, at the same time, ruling the side out of the reckoning without kicking a ball.
Deschamps knows only too well that Juve have to persuade the likes of Buffon, Trezeguet and Camoranesi to stay in Turin.
These three, alongside veterans Pavel Nedved and Alessandro Del Piero, are the pillars of a winning team, no doubt.
To build a valid squad it could take quite some time but the starting point of any new era should be retaining the best players.
Deschamps reiterated that only after the end of next summer's transfer window will he be in a position to set a target for 2007/08.
But, ideally, it should be the other way round as the club will have to strengthen the team according to Deschamps's plans. He has to define which positions should be strengthened and by whom with a view to reaching a pre-set goal.
With Juve out of European football next season, Deschamps has to realise that Inter, Milan and Roma will be focusing on the Champions League. Some players may move elsewhere and, therefore, there will be teams that suddenly become weaker. In my opinion, Juve's chances in 2007/08 aren't so bad.
In recent years, Milan dedicated most of their energies on the Champions League while Roma do not have reserves of strength.
Also, it is still too early to know whether Inter will be consistent enough to repeat their remarkable feats of this season.
Deschamps has to change his mentality as far as the club's future is concerned. Winning for Juventus is a must and, given the right ingredients, they will return to their glory days in due time.
Juve have always been among the favourites in the Serie A and they tend to give their best when least expected... Deschamps should know this very well.
By Antoine Dalli
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Amen. Deschamps' predictions for Serie A were somehow realistic, but he needs to raise his own morale in order to choose the best players to achieve the best results next season...
umpkin:
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